Polls have closed in Bosnia-Herzegovina amid reports of light turnout in the fourth local government elections since the 1995 Dayton peace accord halted fighting in the country.
Election officials say only 35 percent of the 2.3 million eligible voters had cast ballots for mayors and local council members in 140 municipalities by three hours before closing. Pre-election surveys had predicted a turnout of less than 50 percent as citizens became increasingly disillusioned with politicians.
The nationalist parties representing the Croat, Muslim and Serb communities are expected to win a significant number of posts, having moderated their rhetoric in recent years by joining calls for closer ties with the rest of Europe.
The election is the first financed and run by local authorities. All previous votes since 1995 had been organized and supervised by the international community.